The
Nigerian Army says at least five suspected members of the Niger Delta militants
group were killed in Rivers State and a large cache of arms recovered by troops
involved in “Exercise Crocodile Smile”, which commenced on Saturday.
Army spokesman, Sani
Usman, said at least 23 of the armed militants were seriously injured in a
shootout between the troops and the militants in their hideout in the creeks.
Various calibres of arms, including a speed boat, were also recovered during
the exercise, he said.
“The 133 Special Forces
Battalion of Nigerian Army troops have carried out a precursor operation to
Exercise CROCODILE SMILE aimed at getting rid of all forms of criminal
activities in the Niger Delta geo-political region of Nigeria.
“In the course of the
operation, five militants that attacked the troops were killed in action, while
numerous others were injured and 23 suspects were arrested,” Mr. Usman, a
colonel, said..
He said the operations,
carried out by Special Forces on Friday, led to the recovery of an abandoned
engine boat; two AK-47 rifles with 199 rounds of ammunition; 11 pump action
guns, a locally made revolver pistol; 292 cartridges of live ammunition; four
electricity generating sets and a camp gas cooker.
Chief
of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, also confirmed the killing of the five militants
and recovery of arms while addressing troops in Sapele, Delta on Saturday.
Mr. Burutai said apart
from those killed, there were other suspects arrested when they attempted to
interfere with the training conducted for formations and units in the Niger
Delta.
He urged the troops to
exercise professionalism in their operations and conduct as they move into the
creeks for the exercise, and strive to minimize collateral damage to citizens’
lives and critical national assets located in the area.
The
Army Chief urged the troops to respect the rights of members of the communities
while discharging their duties, urging them not to spare any criminal found in
the creeks.
He said the training
was an exercise and operation geared at recovering the nation’s economic base
and restoring normalcy in the region, assuring them of government’s commitment
to improving the welfare of soldiers and officers.
-NAN
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